AUTISM PEER MENTOR & MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER | CPACC
Meet Marisa Gaffney
Helping others find their voice, build confidence, and see what’s possible.
Marisa Gaffney is an autistic adult, motivational speaker, and certified accessibility professional who is passionate about helping others embrace their individuality and recognize their potential.
A summa cum laude graduate of Bridgewater State University, Marisa has built her professional experience around accessibility, inclusion, and advocacy. At university, her honors thesis centered on the portrayal of autism in the media. She spent three years at Teladoc Health focusing on inclusion and accessibility, has worked with Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Medical Center's Autism Program. She is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).
Marisa has shared her experiences and insights through presentations for Mass General Hospital's Aspire program, Bright Horizons, and Teladoc Health, inspiring audiences to better understand autism, self-advocacy, and the importance of inclusion.
Recognizing the challenges of making social connections, Marisa also founded Kindred 20s, a welcoming Meetup community that helps young adults and introverts build friendships in comfortable, supportive environments.
Through A Peek Inside, Marisa brings together her personal journey and professional experience to encourage others to discover their strengths, build meaningful connections, and create a future that's uniquely their own.
Her message: Your path doesn't have to look like everyone else's to be meaningful and successful.